Community Development

\The Community Development Department is dedicated to promoting safety, sustainability, and connectivity for people who live, work, and visit the City of Arroyo Grande. We recognize the critical importance of working objectively with individuals, community groups, and the business community in developing a diverse, economically stable city while maintaining the city’s unique environment and heritage for the future. Staff is committed to providing quality services that are responsive, innovative, fiscally sound and helpful to the community.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: COVID-19 RESPONSE

San Luis Obispo County is currently under a mandatory order to Shelter at Home to limit the spread of the coronavirus or COVID-19. At this time, the Community Development Department will only be providing essential public services that are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community. In accordance with this order, staff will be working remotely and City Hall is closed to the public.

We remain committed to providing continuing services to our community and working to safeguard our residents and businesses from the effects of this crisis to the best of our abilities. However, delays in response times may be experienced as staffing resources are affected by the COVID-19 crisis and are directed to essential services. 

Please note that procedures are subject to change as this crisis evolves. Check back frequently for updates. At this time, the Community Development Department is implementing the County’s Shelter at Home Order as follows.

Planning Commission and advisory body meetings are cancelled until further notice

Building and Engineering Inspections

Building and engineering inspections will continue on a case-by-case basis while observing physical distancing. For projects that are under construction, services related to obtaining final occupancy will be provided, so long as physical distancing can be observed throughout the inspection and final occupancy process. Please contact us to discuss your options for completing inspections.

Building Inspection Contact: 

Please call (805) 473-5454 for building inspections.

Engineering Inspection Contact: 

Chuck McConnon cmcconnon@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5446

Permits

Plans and permit applications that have been submitted to the Community Development Department as of March 19, 2020, will continue to be reviewed and processed. No new permit applications will be accepted and no new permits will be issued until further notice, with the following exceptions**:

  • Permits related to repairs of existing residences or commercial structures that are necessary to preserve health and safety;
  • Emergency permits necessary to address an immediate threat to health and safety; 
  • Permits necessary to enable residents to shelter-at-home as described in the Order;
  • Residential construction permits;
  • Home occupancy permits; and
  • Permits necessary to enable Essential Activities listed in the Order.

**Permits requiring discretionary review, such as by the Architectural Review Committee or the Planning Commission, will not be issued at this time. Permits may not be issued where inspections cannot be performed while maintaining proper physical distancing. For questions regarding Essential Activities listed in the Order, please visit: https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/shelter-at-home-order.aspx.

Building Permit Contact: 

Marisela Moreno mmoreno@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5453

Planning Permit Contact: 

Andrew Perez aperez@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5425

Engineering Permit Contact: 

John Benedetti jbenedetti@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5445

Planning Applications

The Community Development Department will continue processing existing planning applications, though no hearings will be scheduled and no permits will be issued until further notice. In addition, no new planning applications will be accepted at this time.

Planning Application Contact: 

Andrew Perez aperez@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5425

Engineering and Stormwater

Engineering and stormwater services will be provided to support public works projects and other essential services described above, such as final occupancy processes and permitting

Engineering Contact: 

Robin Dickerson rdickerson@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5441

Stormwater Contact: 

John Benedetti jbenedetti@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5445

Code Enforcement

Investigations needed to maintain the health and safety of our residents and community will continue.

Code Enforcement Contact: 

John Hurst jhurst@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5456

Planning & Implementation

Planning and implementation of city goals, policies and regulations will ensure that the quality of life is enhanced for the community of Arroyo Grande. The Community Development Department includes three groups: Planning, Building, and Engineering. The department also includes the functions of economic development to promote prosperity, and neighborhood services for the prevention of fire, health, building, and development code violations.

Responsibilities

Staff is responsible for the design, development, and construction of city facilities such as streets and sidewalks, drainage, water and sewer distribution systems. Staff plans comprehensively for the long term needs of the community including plans for:

  • An adequate supply of housing, water, and community facilities
  • Public safety
  • Open space
  • Transportation
  • Stewardship of the environment

The department also:

  • Reviews plans
  • Conducts environmental reviews
  • Issues permits for home occupations, signs, grading, right-of-way encroachment, building, and development entitlements

Advisory Bodies

Community Development provides staff assistance for the:

Please be advised that communications directed to the City, its legislative bodies and their members (i.e., City Council, Planning Commission) or City staff are public records, and are subject to disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act and Brown Act unless exempt from disclosure under the applicable law.